Friday Flyer - December 4, 2009
We Heard You!
Many thanks to those faculty, staff and parents who took the opportunity in recent weeks to share their views on the Commons Initiative, the school’s exploration of a new dining hall and assembly space. Architects from Semple Brown thoroughly enjoyed meeting members of our community on campus in November during the Sock Hop and several focus groups. Members of Graland’s faculty and Board have also traveled to food service sites in Denver and Colorado Springs to observe best practices. There will be more focus groups scheduled in the coming months as design concepts take shape. The Campus and Facilities committee continues to welcome input throughout the process. If you have thoughts that you’d like to share, please take a moment to click here, fill out the input form and send your ideas to thecommons@graland.org. “This exploration is an important continuation of the campus master planning process, which concluded last year. It’s our opportunity to define those immediate objectives, which will add the most value to the educational experience at Graland. It’s critical that we hear from everyone,” says Head of School Ronni McCaffrey. Watch Headlines in early January for a summary of the resulting key themes that have arisen from this process.
Penny Harvest Update
We are SO close to reaching our goal of 25 30-pound bags so if you still have pennies, please have your child bring them to Mrs. VonderHaar’s room (upstairs in the Georgia Nelson building).
What is a Penny?
By Jake Marx, Grade 4
What is a penny? That may sound like an easy question, but when you really dig deep it’s much more than a coin made from bronze. It is a symbol, a symbol of mind and hard work. The reason I think Penny Harvest is a good project is because it’s easy to get people to give up a penny because they don’t think it’s worth much. When you put it together with thousands more it can really make a difference. Now after the Penny Harvest project is complete they will see what a difference they have made. So that is the power of a penny. That is what a penny can do! Thank you, Graland, for all the pennies you have harvested this fall.
The 2010-2011 Calendar
Major dates for the 2010-2011 school year have been set. Click here to find the document with these dates.
1st and 5th Grades Celebrate Thanksgiving
The day before Thanksgiving break the 1st and 5th grades gathered together for a Thanksgiving Celebration buddy activity. The morning’s activities included crafts, games and plays all having to do with learning about the history of Thanksgiving and the first Thanksgiving between the Pilgrims and the Indians. The morning was capped off with a play by Mrs. Purdy-Davis’s class on how Thanksgiving was saved by Sarah Hale. Following this history lesson, Mr. Masters’s homeroom class performed a play about Myles Standish that was written by student Madeleine Dodge and produced by fifth grader Henry Brown. All of these activities helped the students get into the Thanksgiving spirit while being able to spend time with their buddies.
Tuition Reminder
By now you have received your student’s billing statement, which has your final tuition billing for the 09-10 school year. Payment on the 40% tuition billing is due by December 15, 2009. Credit card payments are NOT accepted at this time.
If you have any questions please contact Maryanne Murphy in the Business Office at mmurphy@graland.org or 303-336-3714.
“Friday Favorites” Pilot Lunch Program
At Graland, we are committed to creating a quality, nutritious lunch experience for your child everyday. In response to our parent and student community, Graland is pleased to introduce a new pilot lunch option for second semester called the "Friday Favorites." The "Friday Favorites" is a delicious and healthy organic hot lunch option being offered each Friday starting January 15, 2010 through the rest of the school year (17 Friday lunches due to some half days). For those parents who pack a home lunch for their child, the "Friday Favorites" is a great way to have a day off knowing that your child is going to have a delicious, organic, and healthy lunch and to experience hot lunches at school. For those parents who already have their child enrolled in Graland's hot lunch program, "Friday Favorites" is a great way to have your child enjoy an organic lunch menu on Fridays.
The Graland" Friday Favorites" Menu:
First Friday of the month: Natural, all beef hot dog, Rudi's brand bun, Boulder potato chips, Ian's chocolate chip cookie.
Second Friday of the month: Ian's natural chicken nuggets, roasted potatoes, organic carrots, Ian's cookie buttons.
Third Friday of the month: Annie's Macaroni & Cheese, organic seasonal vegetable, Boulder potato chips, natural chocolate pudding.
Last Friday of the month: Gluten free pasta with marinara sauce, Gluten free roll, Gluten free brownie.
The cost per child is $100.00 (for 17 Fridays beginning January 15, 2010) and includes a beverage choice of: 1% white milk, skim milk, 1% chocolate milk, orange juice or apple juice.
The deadline for enrolling in the "Friday Favorites" is December 1, 2009. For more information, or for the enrollment form, click here. Enrollment forms will also be available at Diane Street’s desk.
Have You Talked to an Annual Fund Volunteer Lately?
If not, that probably means you have already made your pledge or donation. Thank you!
Parent participation has reached 42%! Thank you to everyone who has already made a donation or a pledge. If you haven’t, we hope you will before December 10 so that you can receive an invitation to the special, exclusive reception at the Coors National Western Art Exhibit on the evening of Sunday, January 3.
Thank you to all of our wonderful Annual Fund volunteers! If you have a question about the Annual Fund, please contact Laura Stenovec at 303-336-3728 or any of the volunteers below.
Co-Chairs: Hal Hawkey (hal.hawkey@nmfn.com)
Lara Knuettel (headlineevents@yahoo.com)
Kindergarten: Liz Arnold (larnold1@aol.com)
Susan Drumm (susandrumm@comcast.net)
Frank Laden (ladenfj@bernstein.com)
Lisa Neal (lasneal1@comcast.net)
1st Grade: Mark Manassee (markmanassee@comcast.net)
Schenley Walker (schenleywalker@hotmail.com)
Marco Abarca (marcoabarca@readyfoods.biz)
2nd Grade: Wendy Nekritz (wnekritz@mac.com)
Frank Knuettel (simipeak@yahoo.com)
Glenn Rippey (glennrippey@comcast.net)
3rd Grade: Sarah Goldblatt (nsgoldblatt@msn.com)
Steve Bain (sbain@wsmtlaw.com)
Kelly Gallagher (Kelly@thegallagher5.com)
Sue Hamilton (sue@hamiltonmedia.com)
4th Grade: Seth Terry (sterry19@gmail.com)
Christina Caulkins (Christina.Caulkins@venstarllc.com)
Andy Fisher (andy.fisher@riaco.com)
5th Grade: Janet Woolley (jwoolley@denveracademy.com)
Kerry Vickers (kgsvickers@aol.com)
Patrick Giron (Patrick.Giron@ci.denver.co.us)
Virginia Brown (virginia222@comcast.net)
6th Grade: Barbara Rase (barbararase@mac.com)
Michael James (mca2james@aol.com)
Debbie Donaldson (dldonaldson@comcast.net)
7th Grade: Charles Baker (cbaker@ball.com)
Healy Parks (healyparks@yahoo.com)
Beth Hooper (bethhooper@me.com)
Wendy Glazer (bdglaz@aol.com)
8th Grade: Jude Dudley (jude.dudley@dudley.com)
Carla Bartell (cbartell@perryandco.com)
Mark Berzins (mmberzins@aol.com)
Kristen Daley (kristendaley@msn.com)
8th Annual Africa Day Celebration to be Held on January 6, 2010
The eighth annual Africa Day celebration will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2010. The 7th grade invites any and all community members to attend and learn more about ancient and modern African culture. Come see and hear about diverse topics such as: camel and ostrich racing, LifeStraw, South African rugby, witch doctors, cinematography and much more!
The 7th grade students, as is tradition, will present their independent research projects to the community from the start of the school day until about noon. The projects, and students, will be on display in the gymnasium lobbies and Multi-Purpose room.
At approximately 2:20, we will have an all-school assembly celebrating African culture. The featured performer is a music ensemble called Kutandara (www.kutandara.com). They specialize in teaching about Zimbabwean culture and music. We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please contact Jake Dresden (jdresden@graland.org).
Winter Athletics Update
Greetings athletic parents! ‘Tis the season once again, and time to join highschoolsport.net to get your sports information and updates. This is a FREE service provided for your convenience. Click here to access directions for signing up. Learn how to get your team schedule and to request emails/texts when game changes are made. We appreciate your continued support of our athletic programs! GO EAGLES!!!
Circle of Concern Consortium
Notice Of Monthly Meeting
Thursday, December 10, 2009, 8:45 – 10:45 a.m.
in
THE COMMUNITY ROOM (next to the library)
on the Second Floor of the Information Center Building
CHERRY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL
9300 East Union Avenue
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
720-554-2000
TOPIC:
Teen Driving: Laws, Liabilities, and
Who Holds the Keys
Presenter:
FRANK MOSCHETTI, Chief Deputy District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District, will share his popular PowerPoint program and his no-nonsense (but often humorous) comments on what it really means to have a young driver in your family and your responsibilities as a parent in that regard.
GPA News
Cookies and Treats
Thanks to all who dropped off their delicious cookies and treats this morning for today's annual Faculty and Staff Holiday Party. If you still have some baking to do, sweets can be dropped off until 3:30 p.m. in the Woodruff Multipurpose Room.
Giving Trees are Here
The annual Giving Forest has taken root around campus and there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to help. The tags on each tree give specific ideas on how you can serve Volunteers for America's Sunset Village, Sungate Home, Jewish Family Services, and Denver Health's foster and homeless population. Bags are due back by December 11. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Renie Mayfield at 720-289-7008. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Do Your Holiday Shopping at The Bookies
There are only two shopping days left during "Graland Week" at The Bookies. The Bookies, located at 4315 E. Mississippi Avenue in Glendale, is a unique, independent bookseller with books, games and more for virtually everyone's taste and interests. Through Sunday, The Bookies will donate 20% of sales made to the Graland community to the Graland Parent Association. This is a great time to do your holiday shopping for everyone on your list! If you have any questions, please call Whitney Zimmerman at 303-733-9199.
GPA Council Meeting
All parents and guardians of students currently enrolled at Graland are members of the Graland Parent Association and are welcome to attend all GPA meetings. Please join us for the next council meeting at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, December 8 in the Caulkins Boardroom GN-222. Your participation is encouraged!
Graland Celebrates Birthdays at VOA Family Motel and Serves Dinner at the Theodora House
Graland families can help host a birthday party for homeless children staying at the Volunteers of America (VOA) Family Motel and prepare and serve meals for the women staying at the Theodora House. The next serving day is Wednesday, December 9. If you are interested in participating, please contact Sarah Goldblatt (nsgoldblatt@msn.com) or Whitney Zimmerman (whitney_zimmerman@mac.com).
Take Part in the Graland Cares Annual VOA Holiday Party Tradition
Following the noon dismissal on Friday, December 11 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., Graland students, siblings and parents are invited to share in a wonderful Graland tradition by spreading holiday cheer to 100 senior citizens and disabled adults living in the downtown Denver Sunset Park Apartments. The afternoon will include musical entertainment by The Original Dickens Carolers from 2:00 to 3:00 and performances by talented Graland students from 3:00 to 4:00. Attendees will serve fruit and sandwiches to the residents as well as participate in a cookie decorating project and a holiday gift bag exchange from the Graland Giving Tree. This is a unique way for your family to share the holiday spirit with less fortunate seniors who are delighted to have us. Volunteers of America Sunset Park is located at 1865 Larimer Street - 3 blocks north of Larimer Square and 2 blocks south of Coors Field. Paid parking lots surround the block and there is ample metered parking along Larimer Street, 18th and 19th Streets. Volunteers are needed to help with the party. Please contact Ann Davis at #303-884-0044 or cohiba1000@msn.com for more information.
Show Off Your Talents!
We need Graland students who are willing to share their talent at the Graland Cares Annual Holiday Party for Volunteers of America. The party is Friday, December 11 at the VOA Sunset Towers. (See above for more information.) The Talent Show portion of the party will take place from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The guests eagerly anticipate these great performances! Whether your child plays an instrument, sings, dances, or juggles, he or she can be a part of this great Graland tradition. If your child would like to be involved in the talent show, please contact Rhonda Dodge at 303-322-4252 or Rhonda.dodge@comcast.net.
Show Your Appreciation for Our Teachers and Staff Through Ticket Donation
Should you find yourself with extra tickets, from sporting events to opera performances, please consider donating them to Graland as a wonderful way to show appreciation. All ticket donations can be given to Diane Street who will post the information in the faculty newsletter and coordinate a teacher/staff drawing. In return, the donating family will receive a letter from the Foundations office for tax deduction benefits. Thanks in advance to all families who share this special gift.
Shop and Support Graland
Help support Graland by doing your holiday shopping with retailers who will donate to Graland. It’s easy! Just go online to www.1spotinfo.com or click here to see a list of local participants. Simply give them the name of our school at the register and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to Graland. Thanks for your support!
Save the Date for the First Annual Eagle Invitational Golf Tournament
Mark your calendars now because you won't want to miss the first annual Eagle Invitational Golf Tournament sponsored by the Graland Parent Association. This fun event will take place on May 27, 2010 at the Fossil Trace Golf Course in beautiful Golden, Colorado. Space is limited so you will want to sign up early. You must be 21 years or older to register. Sponsorships are available. Look for more information in upcoming Friday Flyers and GPA eNews publications, or feel free to contact Carol McDermott d3dirk@aol.com or Kristin Baker bkisso@aol.com with any questions.
